Maritime Sector Discusses Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence at the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Seminar 2017

Mr Wong Weng Sun addresses the maritime community as new SMI Chairman at the SMI Seminar

Held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week 2017 (SMW), the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Seminar on “Future of Augmented Reality & Artificial Intelligence” held today explored the impact, challenges and opportunities that the disruptive technologies could bring about to the maritime industry.

2 Distinguished speakers from the industry and academia shared insights and perspectives towards the subject. The presentations culminated in a panel discussion moderated by Provost of the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Professor Chong Tow Chong, where panellists and the audience exchanged views on augmented reality and artificial intelligence in the maritime domain.

3 Speaking at the event as the new Chairman of SMI Board and Governing Council, Mr Wong Weng Sun emphasised on the need to enable a future-ready Maritime Singapore through research and technology. “Disruptive technologies are at the doorsteps of the maritime industry. Beyond embracing these technologies, new mindsets and global partnerships in research and development (R&D) are essential to innovate and create more value for the maritime industry”, said Mr Wong.

4 Mr Wong also highlighted that SMI is currently refreshing its maritime R&D roadmap to address trends like digitalisation and smart technologies, and to align its research efforts with MPA’s new research and innovation framework and focus areas under the national Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map (ITM).

5 One of the major initiatives with the refreshed R&D roadmap is the establishment of maritime research Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the areas of (a) Maritime Environment & Energy; (b) Port Operations; and (c) Maritime Safety. These CoEs will enable Singapore to deepen research expertise and manpower in the maritime and port sectors; and foster a stronger industry-academia interface.

6 The bi-annual SMI Research Showcase April 2017 was also launched during the event to raise the profile of maritime research and technology in Singapore. The Research Showcase also seeks to recognise maritime research excellence where visitors are invited from 26 to 28 April to vote for their favourite research projects.

7 The SMI Seminar is in its fourth edition this year and is part of SMI’s efforts to promote maritime R&D and innovation within the maritime community during each year’s SMW. The next SMI Seminar is scheduled to take place in April during SMW 2018.